Amid the events to mark 82 years since Kristallnacht, a string quintet in Germany has performed a piece of music written by an Immanuel College student to honour victims.

A recording of the band’s interpretation of Gilad Nachshen’s composition was included in a new anthology compiled by a Holocaust remembrance group in the German town of Zierenberg to mark the anniversary of the pogrom. 

The 16-year-old, who received a copy of the book this week, was “absolutely amazed,” his grandmother Dorothy Sadlik told the JC on Wednesday.  “My daughter said she should have taken a picture of him when he listened to the recording.

“He was astounded and thrilled as were his school.”

His GCSE composition, entitled “Never Forget A Zierenberg Shabbos”, was lauded by his headmaster and director of music and awarded the top grade.

The Year 12 pupil, who plays the violin and the guitar, dedicated the piece to his grandfather John Sadlik, who died earlier this year and lost family in the Holocaust. 

It was inspired by his family history and his late great great-grandfather Jacob Schartenberg, who lived in Zierenberg before seeking refuge in the UK in 1938.

Mr Schartenberg, who died in 1958, survived Kristallnacht and Buchenwald concentration camp. 

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think my music and words would be performed in Zierenberg - 82 years after my great great-grandfather Jacob Schartenberg was dragged onto the street, assaulted, beaten up and left lying unconscious,” Gilad said. 

“I hope I have honoured his memory and those of my family.”

Zierenberg, whose synagogue was destroyed on 8 November 1938, commemorates the anniversary of the pogrom each year. 

A plaque, put up on the site in 1988, says: “We only learn if we don’t forget.”